Posted on December 4, 2024
Mt. Airy, LA – Today, the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) joined its partners from the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council, the Pontchartrain Levee District, and St. John the Baptist, St. James, and St. Charles Parishes to break ground on the River Reintroduction into Maurepas Swamp Project (MSP).
Levees along the river, which provide flood protection to our communities, have disconnected the river from the Maurepas Swamp, depleting the swamp’s need for freshwater nutrients.
The MSP is a 2,000 cubic feet per second freshwater diversion located on the East Bank of the Mississippi River in St. John the Baptist Parish, just west of Garyville, La. The project will reconnect the Mississippi River to the Maurepas Swamp and revitalize over 45,000 acres with freshwater, sediment, and nutrients to nourish one of Louisiana’s largest and last remaining coastal freshwater swamps.
“The Maurepas Swamp is what many people think of when they hear ‘Sportsman’s Paradise.’ With ample opportunities for bird watching, fishing, and hunting, the swamp is a picturesque example of our unique Louisiana landscape,” said CPRA Chairman Gordon “Gordy” Dove. “Unfortunately, the swamp has been severely impacted after being cut off from the Mississippi River’s freshwater. Reconnecting the swamp to the river is essential to halting its decline and ensuring its preservation for future generations.”
The project involves constructing a headworks structure consisting of three 10’x10’ box culverts in the Mississippi River Levee. These culverts will connect to a newly built two-mile-long conveyance channel, which will flow into the existing Hope Canal. For the final 3.5 miles, the canal will be enhanced with small earthen levees, guiding water into the Maurepas Swamp outfall area, located just north of I-10.
“We have some of the most diverse ecosystems and wildlife of anywhere in the country, just like our culture,” said U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy. “But if we don’t act now, we lose this ecosystem. So, to preserve this, it’s great to see the Maurepas Swamp freshwater diversion project breaking ground, bringing fresh water to replenish a swamp, starving for nutrients, and doing so protects wildlife, strengthens natural wetlands, and prevents further loss of this ecosystem.”
Additional project components include crossings for roads, railroads, pipelines, and utilities. Features like gaps in canal spoil banks and low-level weirs in specific bayous will help retain and evenly distribute water throughout the swamp.
“The River Reintroduction into Maurepas Swamp project is an important step to restore a treasured Louisiana natural habitat,” said Representative Troy Carter, who represents a large portion of the Maurepas basin. “The restored swamp will serve as a natural storm surge barrier, helping to protect the vital federal flood protection investments in levees and flood gates of the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain system. This is finally being built behind it after over five decades of planning and local advocacy. Louisiana’s landscapes are more than scenery, they’re part of our identity, culture, and economy. We must protect this earth we’ve inherited; and today, we’re making significant progress toward that goal.”
In January of 2023, USACE made a first-of-its-kind announcement when it selected the MSP as mitigation for an 18.5-mile comprehensive levee system known as the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain project (WSLP). This was the first time the USACE used a CPRA-constructed restoration project as mitigation.
USACE will utilize approximately 9,000 acres of the wetlands benefitted by MSP as compensatory mitigation for WSLP.
“We are thrilled to join together with CPRA in a historic collaboration to deliver this project which highlights our shared commitment for innovative and effective environmental restoration.” said Col. Cullen Jones, New Orleans District Commander. “By utilizing the CPRA constructed restoration project as mitigation for the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain project this allows the USACE and CPRA to maximize resources while saving time and money.”
The WSLP and MSP projects complement each other by addressing related but distinct aspects of flood protection and ecosystem restoration in the same region of Louisiana. Together, these projects enhance resilience against flooding and restore critical wetlands to improve ecological health and sustainability.
“The continued strong relationship that we have developed with the Corps is once again benefitting the people of Louisiana,” said CPRA Executive Director Glenn Ledet, Jr. “Implementing the Maurepas Swamp and West Shore projects together will allow us to save time and money as we restore a threatened ecosystem and offer greater protection against hurricanes and storm surge to over 60,000 Louisiana citizens.”
The current construction costs for MSP are estimated at approximately $330 million. The project will eventually include additional costs for levee features that are part of the WSLP. It will be constructed using Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (RESTORE Council), Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) funds, and other State funding sources.
The RESTORE Council has approved $130 million to fund the construction of the MSP, in addition to an earlier $14 million to support planning, engineering, and design. The MSP is one of the two largest projects the RESTORE Council has funded to date, the other being the Houma Navigation Canal Lock in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana.
“The RESTORE Act prioritizes large-scale projects that restore ecosystem resiliency,” said Mary Walker, Executive Director of the RESTORE Council. “This is a great example of just such a project, and we are happy to support it. We commend CPRA and the Corps for their collaboration that has led to innovation and efficiencies for this project and the nearby West Shore Lake Pontchartrain Levee.”
The contract for the first construction increment of the MSP was awarded to Phylway Construction, LLC, which is based in South Louisiana. Phylway has begun work on “Reach 6” of the project, which includes clearing, excavating, and building guide levees through approximately three miles of Hope Canal between U.S. 61, Airline Highway, and Interstate 10.
The remainder of the conveyance channel between Airline Highway and the Mississippi River, along with Reaches 111-113 of WSLP, are currently in final design. Both the WSLP and MSP projects are currently scheduled to be completed by the end of 2028.
Local leaders in the areas impacted by the MSP offered the following statements in support of the project:
“I will continue to say it- the partnership between every level of government to get these projects to this milestone demonstrates our constant commitment to the people and our future generations. Preserving wetlands, sustaining ecosystems, and maintaining overall flood risk for this area is tremendous- not only as complementary projects but the financial efficiency in implementing WSLP and Maurepas- together exhibits the collaboration and cooperation at every level of government.” – Pontchartrain Levee District Executive Director Monica Salins Gorman.
“This critical project helps to protect residents, restore a crucial local ecosystem, and rejuvenate and preserve Sportsman’s Paradise for generations to come. We are thankful to CPRA and the Corps for working together to implement this key project.” – St. James Parish President Pete Dufresne.
“This project marks a pivotal step toward restoring a critical connection between the Mississippi River and the Maurepas Swamp. Reconnecting this estuary to the river’s life-giving freshwater and nutrients will breathe new life into one of Louisiana’s cherished ecosystems. Projects like this remind us of the critical importance of working together to rebuild our natural defenses, sustain our culture, and protect our communities. Let us continue striving to reconnect the river, whenever possible, to these critical habitats.” – St. Charles Parish President Matthew Jewell
“A stronger Maurepas Swamp helps protect our critical infrastructure and strengthens St. John’s resilience. The project will also improve recreational and economic opportunities for our residents. We are excited for the start of construction and look forward to its completion.” – St. John the Baptist Parish President Jaclyn Hotard.
